At the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
Zoe (to Vincent): Thanks for breakfast, Dad, but I really should be getting back... Or is there something else you wanna talk about?
Vincent (to Zoe): I just wanted to check in on you, sweetie. I haven't seen hide nor hair of you lately. How have you been?
Zoe (to Vincent): I've been busy helping out Victor & Felix, what with Yuki being off on some mission with Mr. Park. And, acting as a babysitter for the twins. Hari's been beside herself with worry, though she's been hiding it.
Vincent (to Zoe): I can imagine. And I suspect your brother isn't much better... The Bleak House is terrifying. Hun, I know you ran a job for Mrs. Esterly the other night. Are you going to tell me what happened?
Zoe (to Vincent): Oh... Charles got nabbed by Maladori for some weird reason. I helped Fiona go get him. Don't worry! I was just transport. I didn't actually go in or anything. Not that Fiona would have let me anyway.
Vincent (to Zoe): Yes. I got all the details from your mother, who got them from Mrs. Esterly. Zoe... why didn't you tell us about this?
Zoe (to Vincent): Oh… I just figured you already knew, Dad. I mean, Mom was the one who asked me to go over there so I just thought there wasn't much point in me telling you... But, judging by the look on your face, I was totes wrong.
Vincent (to Zoe): Ah. Well... Yes. I'm sure there was a reason I was late to the information super party.
Zoe (to Vincent): Shit... I'm sorry.
Vincent (to Zoe): Hee hee. Don't worry about it, hun. I'm sure I'll work it out sooner or later.
A little while later, at Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Charles: Where... Ow! Oh... Oh bugger.
Persephone (to Charles): Charles! What in the world do you think you're doing? Get back into bed this instant.
Charles (to Persephone): I'm sorry, Miss Persephone. I... I'm a bit confused... I think I was going to clean myself up? I'm a bit of a mess... I'm sorry...
Persephone (to Charles): ... That's why I was bringing you a towel & basin of hot water. You have been out like a light for a couple days... Don't worry! We've all been lending a hand at the Inn. Ma says to get well & don't even think of trying to work until Mrs. Esterly says it's alright... So, scoot back up in bed and let me help.
Charles (to Persephone): ...Ouch. I... You, um, you don't need to do that, miss. I... I think I can manage. Where am I?
Persephone (to Charles): Sit still... You're in my guest room, Charles. We were afraid to move you too much after you passed out. Plus, you are way heavier than you look. It took me & Ms. McGillivray to navigate you this far... Now, do you feel up to talking or do you want to rest some more?
Charles (to Persephone): Oh! I'm very sorry I haven't been, um, awake. I hope Mr. Joseph wasn't incapacitated? ... I believe I'm well enough to talk.
Persephone (to Charles): Joseph is doing much better. He just needed rest. Whatever that trollop, Doreen, drugged you both with was pretty potent. It knocked him on his head after he skipped here to tell us what happened to you... Speaking of which, what happened?
Charles (to Persephone): I-- I'm not sure. Mr. Joseph and I were unloading supplies, Doreen brought us tea, and then we woke up in... in that place.
Persephone (to Charles): Did she do anything to you, Charles? Do you feel alright? Everything's where it's supposed to be?
Charles (to Persephone): That, um, that woman was asking after Joseph... She wanted to know where he had gone, and who he was. She... She was very insistent. And there was... there was talk of a, um, a procedure. I... I think I'm all right. I, um, I think my ankle might be broken. It was hard to tell... She put some kind of vice on me... I-I think she's insane. She kept telling some rabbit that this one can be his... And she kept calling me an "it." …I-- I mean, I think she did. She injected me with something...
Persephone (to Charles): Grunt! I think Maladori was planning on using you for Carver... Ick.
Charles (to Persephone): S--she wanted to use me for... Oh. OH! That was what she meant about my potential pedigree...
Persephone (to Charles): … When you're feeling better we'll need to discuss what to do with you, Charles. Clearly, you can't go back to the Inn. But, for now, this is the safest place for you. Mrs. Esterly will be along shortly to set your ankle… You may want to drink this whiskey. It'll help dull the pain… Is there anyone you'd like me to get word to, for you? I can grab your belongings from the Inn, also if you like.
Charles (to Persephone): O-- oh. Yes... Of course... I understand. If you could let George know where I am. S--she may be upset if she can't find me. Thank you for the whiskey, Miss Persephone.
Persephone (to Charles): You're welcome, Charles. You don't have to deal with this stuff on your own, ok? We're all here for you. I'll go see about George and your belongings.
Charles (to Persephone): I know, Miss Persephone, and I'm very grateful. It's that... I like working at the Inn. It is, um, was...home. I... I hate to have to lose it again.
Persephone (to Charles): It will always be home to you, Charles… Just think of this as an adventurous vacation. You'll be back to the Inn in no time.
An hour or so later:
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Keep drinking that whiskey, Mr. Turner. This is going to hurt quite a bit.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): <cough> It, um, it's a bit strong, ma'am.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Well, yes, dear. It had better be for what I'm about to do. Let's see what we can do about your ankle.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I, um, I think it's my tibia that's broken. I can't move my ankle, but all my tarsals seem to be where they belong. It's hard to tell, because everything is so swollen, but I... Um. Excuse me. I'm sure you know better than I, ma'am.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Hee hee. No, dear. I'd say that's about right. Aren't you a clever boy? ...Are you ready? One... Two...
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): Oh! OH GOD... God's bloody wounds!... Ouch. I-- I'm sorry for my language, ma'am.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Hee hee. I do believe I've heard worse in my time, dear. That has it. Here. Drink another. Hee hee. I see you already have.
Charles (to Mrs. Esterly): I... I beg your pardon, ma'am.
Mrs. Esterly (to Charles): Oh no, no no, dear. No apologies. I wouldn't have poured it for you if I didn't need it. Get some rest.
